Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-05-24
NEW YORK. MAY %

NEW YORK, MAY 90.
Both the Brlttanic and Celtic, the ocean
steamers which collided ar sea, anchored AT
Scotland lightship this morniug. The Mer-
rift Wrecking Company is now pumping out
the former.
There Is suspicion that some of the Brit
tanic's passengers were drowned in the bro.
ken compartment. The question of where
the blame o! The collision should rest is not
easily determined. Statements coming from
those favorable to the White Star company
say that the fog was the cause: that all pre-
cautions were taken, and that the disaster
could rot be avoided. On the other hand
are statements from many of the passengers
that the two steamers were going at dan
gerous rate of speed. Statements regarding
the fog signals are conflicting. Some of the
passengers say the Celtlc's whistles were not
sounding and others state the contrary. The
officers of both ships are 10th TO speak about
the accident as they all belong TO the same
| line.
| Captain Perry of the Brittanic said this
morning:
1T was dense fog and we were going at
half speed and whisting. When we saw the
Celtic loom up through the fog we were very
close, and immediately ordered full speed
ahead hoping to clear, but we did not. The
Celtic was to blame in that she did not back
at full speed, for that would have helped us
to clear or at least lessen the blow, but there
seems to have been no alteration in the speed
of the steamer"
Captain Irving of the Celtic, was in charge
of the White Star steamer Republic when it
ran into the Cunard steamer Auronia in the
Swash channel year ago. He has good
record at captain. He says:
''Shortly after noon Oh Thursday, when
about four hundred miles east of Sandy Hook
we ran into light fog. 1t gradually thick.
entd until it was impossible to see from the
stern TO the stem of the boat. | reduced the
steam about one half and began blowing the
whistle. Extra lookouts were stationed and
every precaution taken to prevent our com
ing in contact with another vessel. II was a
little after five, | think, when heard the
whistle of another steamer of our starboard
bow. 1t seemed at such distance that did
not think there was any danger of our meet
ing. A few moments later the same whistle
sounded again, much nearer. | rang the bell
to stop the engines and just then the Brttanic
loomed up on our starboard, apparently try
ing to cross our bow. | ordered the engines
stopped, but ii was too late, and our momen-
tum carried us into the Brittanic's port side.
At the some time our bow was stove in and
we scraped along the Brittanic'e side. A
hurried examination showed that we were in
no danger, and after quieting the passengers
we prepared to assist the Brittanic."
Some of the steerage passengers say that
the dead bodies of those killed were disposed
of in a manner that lacked even the elements
of common decency. They aver that the
sailors showed overheard the bloody frag
ments of humanity just "a they did the small
debris caused by the collision. The state
ments are not very clear on this point, how
ever, tbe remains having been disposed OF
when most OF the passengers were out Of
sight. The passengers also complain of the
inadequacy of the life boats, and the Difficult
ty experienced in reaching life jackets which
were placed so far aft that had there been
any immediate danger many would have been
unable to supply themselves, and the posi-
bility of this great danger was not verv re-
mote, for mad the breach made by the Celtic
been two feet further forward, the engine
and boiler rooms would have been complete
ly flooded.
J. +. Lucas, merchant cow at the Astor
house, was cabin passenger on the Britain
ic. He says;
''The fremen on the Brittanic behaved like
wild beasts. About twenty of them banded
together and just as soon as the life boats
were lowered they sprang into them, pushing
the women ASIDE. lnPy came Oack Hnen tne
danger was over, but would not be allow ed tC
come on board. The ladies behaved heroi
callv."
Another passenger says that during the
panic a number of women in the steerage
took refuge in the cabin. Caste was laid
aside IN this moment OF universal danger but
when it was over, the dead line, marked by a
first class ticket was agaiu strongly drawn
and the poor women were driven from the
cabin with blows and curses by the stewards
The women passengers loudly condemned
this brutality and suggested a memorial con
demning the officers. but it was suppressed
The reports as to the number of lives lost
in the collision are very conflicting. Pursel
Musprsve, in his Official Statement, covers
the number with the word several"
A physician who made close search, say'
that seven bodies were buried, and is certain
that others were drowned and lost in the con
fusion.
Rev. DR.. Depuy, cabin passenger. says
AFTER personal inquiry made on both sue
ceediug days, in the steerage department
where all the casualties occurred, | believe
the list of dead embraces not more than II
and that about 90 were injured. All th'
casualties were confined to the steamer
Brittanic."
The damage done to the Brittsnic vii
reach $50 000, and that TO the Celtic sbou
S45. 900. Both vessels went on the dock fol
repairs today.